August 18, 2012

Loved ones of alcoholics and addicts cannot comprehend why they continue to use despite consequences and even stints of sobriety.

An article by the National Institute On Drug Abuse helps explain the compulsive need to use.

“Our brains are wired to ensure that we will repeat life-sustaining activities by associating those activities with pleasure or reward. Whenever this reward circuit is activated, the brain notes that something important is happening that needs to be remembered, and teaches us to do it again and again, without thinking about it. Because drugs of abuse stimulate the same circuit, we learn to abuse drugs in the same way. Why are drugs more addictive than natural rewards?”

NIDA points out, “When some drugs of abuse are taken, they can release 2 to 10 times the amount of dopamine that natural rewards do. In some cases, this occurs almost immediately (as when drugs are smoked or injected), and the effects can last much longer than those produced by natural rewards. The resulting effects on the brain’s pleasure circuit dwarfs those produced by naturally rewarding behaviors such as eating and sex. The effect of such a powerful reward strongly motivates people to take drugs again and again.”

The addict or alcoholic is no longer able to feel any pleasure without drinking or getting high. When they are sober they feel depressed and anxious on top of the physical pain of withdrawal.

How can someone in this condition start over and live sober?

We can help. Call for more information about our drug abuse solutions. A caring, experienced drug counselor is waiting on the other end of the line to assist you towards living a better, drug-free life.